Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin reached their second consecutive semi-finals after a pulsating win over the Malaysia-South Korea pairing of Goh V Shem-Choi Sol-gyu at the Australian Open on Friday.
The men's doubles second seeds were nonetheless made to battle hard before overcoming V Shem-Choi 21-13, 20-22, 22-20.
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This 69-minute victory restores belief the world number four pair are discovering some momentum at the end of the season.
This Super 500 tournament will most likely be Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s final outing this year, unless they go the distance and win it come Sunday in order to qualify for the season-ending World Tour Finals next month.
The professional pair showed composure to seal the deal at the end, despite almost being foiled by a well playing V Shem.
Now 36, the 2016 Olympics silver medalist showed great chemistry with Choi and rolled back the years with a vintage attacking display and clever shot placements that unsettled his younger opponents.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will now go on to face Indonesian young pair Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin, who stunned Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun 21-15, 19-21, 21-15.
Despite Man-Tee’s defeat, Malaysia will have a second pair in the semi-finals after reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei won in style.
The national mixed doubles pair comfortably disposed of Chinese Taipei’s Ye Hong-wei-Nicole Gonzales 21-17, 21-15 to reach the semis.
The top seeds will now face new Thai combination Pakkapon Teeraratsakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
